Forster co-ax press question...

[copperking81]

Hoping those of you who have or have had a Forster co-ax can tell me if this is normal. I'm new to reloading and primed my first batch of brass with the integrated primer that sits on top of the press.

What I noticed is the three locking jaws / blades that slide in between the rim and the brass body and grab the case while priming seem to leave minor impressions on the rim. It sort of marred the rims and I can feel slight sharp edges on the rim when I run my finger over it. It's nothing significant but noticeable.

Is this normal for this press / priming set up? Does this cause issues cycling the ammo in rifles or cause issues down the road after repeated use on brass? Do other priming tools cause this as well (this is the only one I've ever used)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jimcasey01]

If the impressions cause a problem, try using less pressure to seat the primers and see if that works. Personally, I went the hand priming tool route, as I was having inconsistent ignition when I used less pressure. Takes about the same amount of time, and hand priming is nearly foolproof. Not saying the priming portion of the press was less than desirable, it could be a case of me not being as smart as the press.

 

[calgarycanada]

Mine doesn't do it. If it bothers you take some fine sand paper and smooth out the sharp edge that you mentioned

 

[Shynloco]

.... Personally, I went the hand priming tool route, as I was having inconsistent ignition when I used less pressure. Takes about the same amount of time, and hand priming is nearly foolproof. Not saying the priming portion of the press was less than desirable, it could be a case of me not being as smart as the press.

That is precisely the same problems a few of my friends have had with the Forster Press. They too have gone to the hand held priming tool and have had no further issues with ignition or seating. Though I've tried seating using other presses, I've never been a fan of seating primers using a press simply because a hand held primers allow you to better "feel" how the primer is seating vs the brute strength of an "unfeeling" press.

Alex

 

[bugman]

The amount of tension/hold on the case head from those 3 jaws is adjustable. Ease up on the force you have to use to slide the case in place. Hand-held primer seaters only require a shell holder for the job, and having to force a case head into place is not necessary.

You could also take the 3 jaws off and look for burs, etc. on the jaws or platform.

You have a lot of potential mechanical advantage with that ram. Certainly a lot more potential force than with a hand held primer seater....regardless of the forster design to limit over seating the primers. Point is that IMO you can lose a lot of "feel" when seating primers with the forster system, and that MAY have something to do with your complaint. Measure the pocket depth of some cases, and measure the height of the primers...do the math and check to see if your seated primers are under flush by the correct amount.

I have no idea which of these 3 suggestions might be the culprit. Maybe none. I am just throwing them out to you for you to check.

Jack

 

[1shot]

I've got a co-ax, but seat all my primers with a hand tool. As others have said, I like to have a "feel" for my primers.
Lloyd

 

[shoot4fun]

I am a long-time user of either hand or bench mounted priming tools. They just always give me the better feel when seating.
I use a Coax and did try priming with it just to see how it worked. It does require a little more care in priming because, as stated above, the press generates a lot of force and you could be over-doing it without even knowing it.

 

[frankmueller]

I've got a co-ax, but seat all my primers with a hand tool. As others have said, I like to have a "feel" for my primers.
Lloyd

+1

 

[Shrek]

Another hand primer user. The press is way too much brute force for my liking. I love my Co-Ax but not for priming.

 

[copperking81]

Thanks guys, I probably will go the hand tool priming way eventually but would love to make this work. I think I'm probably applying to much pressure as others mentioned. I take the lever all the way back with a little added pressure and that might be causing the problem. Dampening the blades with some sandpaper sounds like good advice too. I'll fool around with later this evening and report back.

 

[copperking81]

I know this is a "Chevy vs Ford" type question but....what are thought to be among the best of the hand priming tools out there? I have done zero research on them as I just planned to use the primer on the co-ax.

 

[Comrade Terry]

thought to be among the best of the hand priming tools out there?

21st Century Shooting.

 

[copperking81]

21st Century Shooting.

That looks solid. I see they make one for single priming and one that takes a Lee primer tray. Any experience or thoughts on the Tray Priming tool?

 

[ballison]

Cooperking,
To answer your OP, you are using too much pressure. When I first used my Co-Ax to prime, I tried to take the handle the whole way up! Oops! Almost ripped the rim off the case. Just take it until you can feel the primer fully seat. After a few, you'll get the feel of it and won't even think about it.

 

[1shot]

I use an RCBS. I have two trays, on for small and the other for large. It all depends on what I'm doing.

 

[savagedasher]

I use an RCBS. I have two trays, on for small and the other for large. It all depends on what I'm doing.

You have the best seater on your press . Check your jaws to see if you have them I right and adjusted Never had Ben a problem. Larry

 

[Gene66]

I agree with Larry. I have never had a problem with the Forster Co-ax priming system. I have used the Sinclair hand priming tool. IMO I get more accurate priming seating with the Forster Co-ax.

 

[savagedasher]

I agree with Larry. I have never had a problem with the Forster Co-ax priming system. I have used the Sinclair hand priming tool. IMO I get more accurate priming seating with the Forster Co-ax.

Lowered my Es when I went to Forster.
Larry

 

[gary0529]

I agree with savagedasher in that the seating has always been very consistent. In fact, I think that I read somewhere (probably in some Forster literature) that the system is set up so as not to overpressure the seating and you get the same seat every time-given that I routinely forget where I left my eyeglasses please take this with a large dose of salt.
Anyway, when I do small runs of reloads that need to be of the highest precision I can muster, I will use the built in seater on the press-yeah, it takes longer than the hand press but I like what it produces so I stay with it.

I will also assume that the OP is using the handydandy little double ended plug that they provide to initially set up the primer seater-yes you can eyeball it but why?

I have yet to bugger up a rim on the press primer but there is still time

Gary

 

[1shot]

I think it is whatever the individual person is comfortable with and the results down range are to his liking. I have never had a miss/hang fire even with the Wolf primers. It's all in the technique. I seat the primers, relax the pressure slightly, rotate the case 180 deg. and squeeze again. This assures me that the primer is seated fully and if for no other reason, I sleep better at night.
Lloyd